Shrub is a twit

[andysocial]

The President has put forward a great new military spending bill. It is the largest since Reagan, which should make most military members happy, right? Except that he is putting the money toward ships and planes, and the servicemembers get a raise of only 4%. Sure, that's more than inflation, but every study in the past decade has indicated that a raise of 8-15% is needed to bring military member close to parity with their civilian counterparts. And, the pres has the gall to claim he's spending money on facilities because our military deserves all the resources they need. How about a living wage, you moron?

Comments

[rillifane.livejournal.com]

On the other hand there's also been a dramatic decline in the material available for the military especially in spare parts and consumables. and I get the feeling that no one wants to fight a war with sticks and stones.

In the days of JFK we spent more than half of the budget on the Military. What is it these days?

Mind you, I certainly recognize that a lot of money is being wasted. Too many bases we don't need, too many weapon systems that the military doesn't need or, in some cases, even want, and a lot more Generals and Admirals than we need.

Balance

[andysocial]

The over-abundance of upper levels of "leadership" within the military is infamous. We apparently still have the same number of flag officers as during WW2, with something like 20% of the size for the total force.

And, certainly, updating the equipment our troops fight with is important.

I was contrasting the famous (within the military it is anyway) Reagan pay raise with the new Bush pay raise. Reagan raised salaries more than 10%, ensuring him the undying love of the military and helping retention immeasurably. A four percent raise, although nice, is not in the same league, nor is it going to do much to close the salary gap that most military members know all too well.

Naturally, we don't spend half our budget on the military any longer - remember the peace dividend?

Do you think..

[uncle-sam.livejournal.com]

..I'm made of money or something?

Re: Do you think..

[andysocial]

Seems like it to some folks. Must have better lobbyists. :-)

[njuastar.livejournal.com]

Money for bonuses (i.e. retention) also sucks. 74B, a computer geek, only gets a 1A bonus now. Where's the incentive to stay in if you can make three times as much money working for the government as a civilian!??

[andysocial]

And you are reenlisting when?

Re:

[njuastar.livejournal.com]

*S* I'm reenlisting right before the bonus goes down, silly.